Nan2seven

Sat. 2:4: Rang hospital at 10 a.m.. Brian has had two more seizures, one in night and one this a.m.. Bedside at 10.30, Danny washing him. I helped. Brian had eaten some porridge for breakfast. Now v. tired. Gave me lop-sided smile. Too tired to see flowers and card [for weddg. anniversary.] Left at 11.15.

Evening: v. sleepy at first. Sleep came in waves. Had had no lunch, bed all day. Ate soup, trifle, ice-cream, part mince & mashed pot., semolina, thickened water & fruit juice, in that order. Helped Danny change him for night. Marian (visiting husband in opp. bed) gave me flowers for anniv., kissed Brian, he had seen her give me flowers, and he said v. clearly "Thank you very, very, very much." It was the most alert few minutes I had seen in him in about 2 months. Then overcome by need to sleep again.

Sun. 3:4: a.m. washed, changed & sat in chair by Danny. Already leaning. Cheerful. Quite with it. Had good breakfast.

Evening visit: fish for lunch & fish for supper as order changed by kitchens.??? Brian ate well. Had coffee. Cleaned his teeth for him as full of fish. Brian enjoyed the conversations going on around him [between patients and patients' visitors, me included.] Slept at 7 p.m.

Came home, rang hospital at 7.45 p.m.. "Is Brian moving to BH tomorrow?" "We will confirm with them in a.m. and let you know."

Mon. 4:4: Rang BH. They didn't know if Brian coming. To hospital as usual for 10.30 - ward didn't know either. Took in his clothes but nurses put on gown for time being as staying in bed. One of the 2 nurses chatted non-stop thru wash and change and Brian got a bit hostile towards her. (Privately, so did I.) When I left at midday, was told Brian definitely going to BH. Asked me to be at hosp. at 3 p.m. to travel with him.

p.m. Left home at 2.30, left car at BH & walked to hosp. (7 mins.) Brian fully dressed, lying on bed in sun thru large window & sheet over him. Transport arrived at 4.50. Brian found to be "soaking wet" - I think he sweated in vest, shirt, heavy cardi, etc.. He was undressed & put in pajamas, transferred to stretcher and carried down to ambulance v. quickly by two chaps, I running behind with bags. Was about to thank the nurses when I heard muttered "prompts" of "Thank you, thank you" from a nurse I had just passed. Ignored all & chased after Brian. Have never before left a ward without giving my thanks, but console myself that I had many times thanked those who had been very good with Brian. This nurse had not been one of them.

Arrived at BH at 5.10. Brian had scrambled egg, soup & coffee for supper in his room. I met Dr S. whom BH wished to take over from our GP. Told him I had made it v. clear I wished our doc. to continue. He reckoned he had been asked to CH "on false errand". Brian put to bed at 7, photos taken of part-healed blister (arose thru lack of care in 1st care home) and bruising/scabs on hands & arms (restraint by nurses during personal care and cut by plastic wrist-band). Quick talk with Sister at 7.45, forms to sign, took some home to read before signature, home 8.15. Exhausted.